Help! Rear window seal

onewhippedpuppy · 12-27-2003, 10:47 AM

Ok, I've done all the searches on this, I need more answers, and of course I've already torn out the old seal and window, because I'm a dumbas$. Anyway, do you put the chrome trim into the slot before you reinstall the rear window? I put the seal on the window, used the rope trick to seat the seal inside around the body, but then the ****** trim won't fit and stay into the groove. POS, I've about had it, it's already been out twice and I've almost ruined the damned weatherstrip, someone give me a little help?

CarreraS2 · 12-27-2003, 10:49 AM

Gotta put the metal trim strips in FIRST. It's the only way.

Make sure the trim is very straight, otherwise it is hard/impossible to seat even with the window out. If you have been trying to install the trim with the window in place, your trim pieces probably aren't straight anymore.

onewhippedpuppy · 12-27-2003, 11:04 AM

I was afraid of that.

RoninLB · 12-27-2003, 11:09 AM

KTL / Kevin always suggests that you arrange the trin on the glass without the seal/ before install to check out any bent trim.

onewhippedpuppy · 12-27-2003, 01:05 PM

The PO provided me with the rear window seal, now I know why he didn't do it. He told me to pry out the chrome strip, then pop out the window. Due to my prying out the chrome, it is bent, do I have any options here. I'm about to say f-it, and put the window back in without the chrome, I have to take out the window again in the future to replace the headliner. Any thoughts?

aigel · aigel's Garage

Some folks cut around the trim to take it out without even having to pry on it. I had no trouble getting it out straight, with only minor, large radius bends that I was able to straighten out easy.

You can't put the window in without the chrome strip. The trim acts like a lock, expanding the rubber seal just enough to stay in there firmly. If you leave the trim out, it will leak and could even come flying out if you roll down your windows!

Buy new chrome if yours is now BUBAR (bent up beyond ...). Or buy good used chrome. Bite the bullet.

George

avendlerdp · avendlerdp's Garage

You will be able to bend it back with some patience. Set the window on a pair of saw horses and using a lot of lube, seat the trim in the rubber. Then using the "Pull the string through" method seat the window in the car. It's all about the set up. Getting it in the car will only take a few minutes.

Alex

Pat S · 12-27-2003, 04:22 PM

I just did this last weekend and honestly I found the rear window to be one of the hardest projects I've done. For some reason mine was just a bear to install. Good luck to you. I think everyon above summed up all the right info for you. Just take your time and it will work out.

If you want to swap to black from chrome (no clue why anyone would though, I just swapped the other way because I prefer chrome) I have a very good set of black trim for sale in the classified section. FS:Nice black front/rear window trim for coupe

onewhippedpuppy · 12-27-2003, 06:24 PM

Thanks for all the advice everyone, the window is back in, for the time being. I'm not happy with the way it went together, the bent trim made it a b!tch to keep the weatherstrip on the window and fit it into the hole, and the string pulling method only seated maybe 80% of the weatherstrip over the lip on the body, so I'll try to pry the rest in tomorrow. I'm going to pull it out in a short time again to repair rust found in the rear deck/ back seat area, as well as replace my headliner, so I'm replacing the trim then. This was a real PITA, maybe it was due to the bent trim, I don't know.

RoninLB · 12-27-2003, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by onewhippedpuppy
This was a real PITA, maybe it was due to the bent trim, I don't know.

you'll know what the game is next time

DavidI · 12-29-2003, 10:47 AM

I took mine out when I had the headliner replaced. Like you, I quickly got frustrated until my wife suggested having a shop install it. I drove to a local auto glass shop. $75 later, I was driving down the road.

I watched the workers install it and two men who do this type of work everyday had difficulty. It was $75 well spent.

Good luck, David

arrivederci · 12-29-2003, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by onewhippedpuppy
Thanks for all the advice everyone, the window is back in, for the time being. I'm not happy with the way it went together, the bent trim made it a b!tch to keep the weatherstrip on the window and fit it into the hole, and the string pulling method only seated maybe 80% of the weatherstrip over the lip on the body, so I'll try to pry the rest in tomorrow. I'm going to pull it out in a short time again to repair rust found in the rear deck/ back seat area, as well as replace my headliner, so I'm replacing the trim then. This was a real PITA, maybe it was due to the bent trim, I don't know.

If the weatherstrip isn't completely over the lip on the body (anything less than 100%, such as 80%), the window may pop out. In fact, I wouldn't even drive the car...seriously. When properly installed, its a major PITA to remove the window (I've always cut the seal with a razor blade, and even then the windshield takes quite a bit of effort to pop out). But when its not all the way in, a slight push from the inside will do it.

Be careful if you plan to drive it when only 80% in.